Re: [bolger] Re: paint or varnish spars?
I was interested in a boat in Ketchikan a few years ago. It had nice white painted spruce spars, the
owner said he had $7,000 of wood in them (big boat). I didn't by the boat, somebody else did and the
next time I saw it the main mast was down, rot, that you couldn't see about 10' off the deck.
% Harrywelshman@...
owner said he had $7,000 of wood in them (big boat). I didn't by the boat, somebody else did and the
next time I saw it the main mast was down, rot, that you couldn't see about 10' off the deck.
> Here is my $.02_ _ _ _ _
>
> You might want to varnish them so that you can see if there is any
> water intrusion into the wood and the start of rot. If you use
> paint, rot can set in and do lots of damage before you see it.
% Harrywelshman@...
Here is my $.02
You might want to varnish them so that you can see if there is any
water intrusion into the wood and the start of rot. If you use
paint, rot can set in and do lots of damage before you see it.
You might want to varnish them so that you can see if there is any
water intrusion into the wood and the start of rot. If you use
paint, rot can set in and do lots of damage before you see it.
Michael,
Varnish the spars. They'll look better and more traditional, and it's
almost as easy as painting. Andy is essentially correct. In the old
days spars were coated with tallow (or something similar)to lubricate
the hoops, etc., that had to ride up and down on them prior to the
introduction of aluminum, mast tracks and the like. They were not
really finished "bright", but the effect was the same. Only the ends
were painted, I think to retard checking and splitting,
porky
Varnish the spars. They'll look better and more traditional, and it's
almost as easy as painting. Andy is essentially correct. In the old
days spars were coated with tallow (or something similar)to lubricate
the hoops, etc., that had to ride up and down on them prior to the
introduction of aluminum, mast tracks and the like. They were not
really finished "bright", but the effect was the same. Only the ends
were painted, I think to retard checking and splitting,
porky
--- In bolger@y..., "Michael Galvin" <michaelgalvin@h...> wrote:
> I am just finishing the mast and sprit boom for my Bolger June Bug.
I now
> must face the question of whether to paint or varnish the spars. I
am
> certainly no fine craftsman and make no pretensions of "gold
plater"
> standards. Still, I thought it might be nice to stain and varnish a
couple
> of trim pieces on the boat, matching it to tiller, boom, and mast.
I'm
> thinking of painting most of the boat white, with a solid bold blue
on the
> top-sides.
>
> Any ideas out there on what looks good and holds up to abuse?
>
> Dave Carnell I know advocates painting the spars white
I think that masts were finished bright, except at the very tip,
because the mast hoops and whatever they used for lubrication would
mess up the paint.
I use a mixture of pine tar, boiled linseed oil, turpentine and a
little japan drier to finish brightwork, including spars. If you put
enough coats on, you end up with a nice satin finish. The pine tar
does darken the wood some. It also takes a while to dry.
Regards
Andy Farquhar
because the mast hoops and whatever they used for lubrication would
mess up the paint.
I use a mixture of pine tar, boiled linseed oil, turpentine and a
little japan drier to finish brightwork, including spars. If you put
enough coats on, you end up with a nice satin finish. The pine tar
does darken the wood some. It also takes a while to dry.
Regards
Andy Farquhar
Micheal,
I am not sure about the history nor the rational behind either
painting or varnishing spars.One reason,other then pure
aesthetics,that I chose to varnish my spares was that the varnish
would allow me to inspect my spars for any de-lamination problems or
the beginnings of rot.
I have only seen this happen twice to a couple of boats whose
masts the owners had painted.They both reported that,while their masts
appeared to look good,the paint inhibited their ability to verify that
the underlying wood was still sound.Unfortunately,the only clue that
all was not right was when they noticed the paint flaking off and in
some areas forming"blisters".By then,the water which had weaseled its'
way beneath the paint had already begun to seriously effect the
wood.One of them even had serious de-lamination at spreader height.
There are probably many reasons,other then paint,why these de-lam
problems happened in the first place ie;choice of wood,quality of glue
used,building methods etc...however both owners are convinced today
that,had their mast been varnished,they would have been better able to
spot the beginning of their problems a whole lot sooner then later and
this would have at least given them the chance to remedy things before
they got worse.
The mast for your JUNE BUG is no where near the same size as the
two I saw on bigger boats and is not subjected to the same type/degree
of stress as these.Also,I suspect the consequences of mast failure
would be somewhat less severe for you.
So......use either paint or varnish.To satisfy yourself
further,you could even go with the mast all varnished and paint only
perhaps the last 14" at the top.If you are a wee bit concerned about
the level of your craftmanship,the clear coat afforded by the varnish
may forgive a multitude of sins since an observers' eye is kept very
busy by the whorls of various knots and the fascinating display of
wood grain.
It always amazes and saddens me when people who come to visit my
boat feel compelled to touch and stroke my spars(varnished).Their
first questions usually include something like,"is this real
wood?"Perhaps they have been too long surrounded by plastics and
Melamine to recall the simple beauty of wood.Shame!
Anyway,it sounds like you are close to a happy launching and
some fine fun on the water this summer.Judging by the reports in this
group,JUNE BUG is one tough and able little critter sure to please and
surprise!!!
Finally,since you asked for ideas, how about an endorsement for
a product I have had great success with?It is called CETOL marine
varnish and it has to be about the nicest and best varnish I have ever
used.Real easy to apply,easier to maintain and,at least where I
live,long lived!
Best of fun with your JUNE BUG(don't forget to post pictures for
us less fortunate JUNE BUGless Bolgerados)!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,"quit playing on the computer and lets go clean the boat
"says my pesky crew,on the shores of the St.Lawrence.........
I am not sure about the history nor the rational behind either
painting or varnishing spars.One reason,other then pure
aesthetics,that I chose to varnish my spares was that the varnish
would allow me to inspect my spars for any de-lamination problems or
the beginnings of rot.
I have only seen this happen twice to a couple of boats whose
masts the owners had painted.They both reported that,while their masts
appeared to look good,the paint inhibited their ability to verify that
the underlying wood was still sound.Unfortunately,the only clue that
all was not right was when they noticed the paint flaking off and in
some areas forming"blisters".By then,the water which had weaseled its'
way beneath the paint had already begun to seriously effect the
wood.One of them even had serious de-lamination at spreader height.
There are probably many reasons,other then paint,why these de-lam
problems happened in the first place ie;choice of wood,quality of glue
used,building methods etc...however both owners are convinced today
that,had their mast been varnished,they would have been better able to
spot the beginning of their problems a whole lot sooner then later and
this would have at least given them the chance to remedy things before
they got worse.
The mast for your JUNE BUG is no where near the same size as the
two I saw on bigger boats and is not subjected to the same type/degree
of stress as these.Also,I suspect the consequences of mast failure
would be somewhat less severe for you.
So......use either paint or varnish.To satisfy yourself
further,you could even go with the mast all varnished and paint only
perhaps the last 14" at the top.If you are a wee bit concerned about
the level of your craftmanship,the clear coat afforded by the varnish
may forgive a multitude of sins since an observers' eye is kept very
busy by the whorls of various knots and the fascinating display of
wood grain.
It always amazes and saddens me when people who come to visit my
boat feel compelled to touch and stroke my spars(varnished).Their
first questions usually include something like,"is this real
wood?"Perhaps they have been too long surrounded by plastics and
Melamine to recall the simple beauty of wood.Shame!
Anyway,it sounds like you are close to a happy launching and
some fine fun on the water this summer.Judging by the reports in this
group,JUNE BUG is one tough and able little critter sure to please and
surprise!!!
Finally,since you asked for ideas, how about an endorsement for
a product I have had great success with?It is called CETOL marine
varnish and it has to be about the nicest and best varnish I have ever
used.Real easy to apply,easier to maintain and,at least where I
live,long lived!
Best of fun with your JUNE BUG(don't forget to post pictures for
us less fortunate JUNE BUGless Bolgerados)!
Sincerely,
Peter Lenihan,"quit playing on the computer and lets go clean the boat
"says my pesky crew,on the shores of the St.Lawrence.........
--- In bolger@y..., "Michael Galvin" <michaelgalvin@h...> wrote:
> I am just finishing the mast and sprit boom for my Bolger June Bug.
I now
> must face the question of whether to paint or varnish the spars. I
am
> certainly no fine craftsman and make no pretensions of "gold
plater"
> standards. Still, I thought it might be nice to stain and varnish a
couple
> of trim pieces on the boat, matching it to tiller, boom, and mast.
I'm
> thinking of painting most of the boat white, with a solid bold blue
on the
> top-sides.
>
> Any ideas out there on what looks good and holds up to abuse?
>
> Dave Carnell I know advocates painting the spars white
I am just finishing the mast and sprit boom for my Bolger June Bug. I now
must face the question of whether to paint or varnish the spars. I am
certainly no fine craftsman and make no pretensions of "gold plater"
standards. Still, I thought it might be nice to stain and varnish a couple
of trim pieces on the boat, matching it to tiller, boom, and mast. I'm
thinking of painting most of the boat white, with a solid bold blue on the
top-sides.
Any ideas out there on what looks good and holds up to abuse?
Dave Carnell I know advocates painting the spars white
must face the question of whether to paint or varnish the spars. I am
certainly no fine craftsman and make no pretensions of "gold plater"
standards. Still, I thought it might be nice to stain and varnish a couple
of trim pieces on the boat, matching it to tiller, boom, and mast. I'm
thinking of painting most of the boat white, with a solid bold blue on the
top-sides.
Any ideas out there on what looks good and holds up to abuse?
Dave Carnell I know advocates painting the spars white